Beastly Britain by Karen R Jones review – how animals shaped British identity
The Guardian - ScienceFriday, June 27, 2025 at 6:00:55 AM
Karen R. Jones' Beastly Britain dives into the quirky, often overlooked ways animals have influenced British culture—from the bizarre mating rituals of newts (yes, they do handstands) to beloved literary creatures like Beatrix Potter’s Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. It’s a charming exploration of how wildlife has quietly shaped national identity, blending natural history with cultural storytelling.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a book about animals—it’s about how they’ve woven themselves into the fabric of British life, from folklore to everyday encounters. In a world where humans often dominate the narrative, Jones flips the script (much like a lovestruck newt) to show how creatures great and small have left their paw prints, hoof marks, and waggling tails on a nation’s sense of self. It’s a refreshing reminder that identity isn’t just human-made.
— Curated via WP Now’s
